It’s an extremely quiet day, apart from the noise the neighbours are making. Today we’ve heard all sorts about gaps being closed, and a power shift. Standard stuff for a North London Derby, but it’s a little different this time. Instead of derision, we’re getting some quiet murmurs of agreement from the Gooner camp. It’s a slightly worrying trend. Normally anything Scott Parker says is totally ignored, but now he’s some sort of prophet. At least he’s admitted Spurs are ‘in the shadow of Arsenal’.
Same old, same old
It says a lot about the current situation at Arsenal that people are genuinely talking about how ‘a point will do’ at White Hart Lane. It’s almost as if Spurs have become something to be feared. It is of course an indication of our decline in challenging terms that games against the Spuds, who are currently enjoying one of their best periods in years (thanks largely to the dodgy dealings of Daniel Levy and co) are arguably the most important of the season.
No longer is it local pride and an amusing sideshow from Manchester United, it’s a top 4 place at stake, and general financial confusion awaits if Arsenal lose. Spurs know this. It’s huge for them. There’s been very little from Arsenal about the upcoming game, while Spurs have dredged up Scotty Parker, Jermaine Defoe and naturally Gareth Bale, a childhood Gooner, to talk about how Spurs need to ‘hurt’ Arsenal by beating them. Why do they care so much? Because it’s all they have.
Even in a weakened state, Arsenal see Spurs as Spurs. Teach them a lesson, go home. It would be a lot easier if fans could do the same. Spurs aren’t someone to fear, they never will be. Even in the case they finish above Arsenal this season, they’re still a whole footballing lifetime of history away. They have a good squad and a good manager, but all good things must come to an end. And fortunately for us, good things never last as long for Spurs.
And tonight David, Arsenal will be buying...
The Telegraph’s Jeremy Wilson was very enthused by Arsenal’s alleged transfer plans this morning. We’ve yet to have concrete targets attached to the suspiciously timed ‘warchest’ story, and he’s only been too eager to provide them (whether his source is Ivan Gazidis holding a gun to his head while he types is another question).
The angle of the big scoop is that Arsenal are planning to alter their wage ceiling to 140k a week, to attract the players needed to compete at the top level. This makes sense, considering the various sponsorship deals and new TV money coming in, along with the FFP regulations that will prevent clubs paying exorbitant wages to players.
The three players linked include Mario Gotze, Stevan Jovetic, and Etienne Capoue. Those first two would represent major investments, both in terms of a fee and wages. Gotze has a buyout clause of £30m, but this expires in April, and unless Arsenal arrange a deal during the season, they’ll have to pay Dortmund’s asking price. And with Real Madrid sniffing around, that would be difficult. With that said, Arsene Wenger was willing to offer £25 million last time we came knocking, so it’s not an impossibility.
Capoue and Jovetic are rather more realistic. Arsenal showed interest in both during January but were unable to dislodge them for various reasons, mainly a lack of time for either club to find a replacement. Which rather shows up the flaws in the ‘wait till deadline day strategy’ we’ve got going. Ho hum. Capoue is what many feel Arsenal are screaming for, a Patrick Viera-esque midfield runner who can also play in defence. There are varying opinions on him, but with repeated links over the last week we can assume interest is genuine.
Stevan Jovetic is seen as a spiritual successor to a certain Mr Van Persie, being partway through a transition from the wing to a central striker, via a Number 10 role. It would take £25 million or nearabouts for Fiorentina to even listen, and that’s ignoring Manchester City’s alleged interest. Still, you’ve got to take risks to get to the top.
There’s only really been that story today, but Wenger’s press conference is tomorrow, so I’ll be back with all sorts of quotes for everyone to get riled up about. Happy Goonering.
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